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This is a list of all the latest news and happenings at all six Touchstone Facilities. This blog also contains general information about Rock Climbing, Cycling and other items that Touchstone members may find interesting. Thursday, April 16, 2009Climbing and Yoga Injury Clinic @ Mission Cliffs Here's a quick heads up about an awesome free member event that is taking place this Sunday, April 19th from 2-4pm at our Mission Cliffs location. If you're in or around the area, we highly suggest dropping in for this clinic, you can learn a lot and I'm pretty sure everyone will benefit from it greatly. So, this Sunday, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm we will be having a Climbing and Yoga Injury Clinic that will help you learn exactly how to avoid common climbing and yoga related injuries. Check out the official info about the event: Focus on Lower Back, Hip and Knee Injuries Bottom line, if you're in the area, stop in and check it out. Injuries are annoying no matter when, where or why you get them, so the more you can learn to avoid them, the better off you'll be. Your body will thank you, and when you're able to spend more days doing the things you love, and less days recovering, you'll thank us. Labels: climbing, Clinic, event, Injury Prevention, mission cliffs, Yoga, Yoga Classes Thursday, March 5, 2009TBS4 Sees HUGE Turnout At Diablo Rock Gym Here's a quick update about the TBS4 event we held at Diablo Rock Gym at the end of February. First and foremost, it was a HUGE success! We want to take a moment to thank everyone for competing, for showing up, for taking part in what was a great day. This event at DRG was part 4 of the TBS4, and our grand finale will be March 20th, at Berkeley Ironworks. We were lucky enough to have Ben Molale, one of our members as the DJ for the event and saw a record breaking number of competitors for DRG as 196 of you showed up to compete. So, while you're waiting for the Finale event, here are some things to keep you busy in the meantime. First off, why don't you check out the results and individual competition scores from this TBS4 at Diablo Rock Gym. Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone that showed up to compete. One of our members, Paul Hara took a bunch of photos that you can browse in case you were unlucky enough to miss the event, or if you want to try to spot yourself in action. Finally, check out the video below to get a full flavor of what went on. Thanks again to everyone that made TBS4 such an amazing success! Labels: Competition, Diablo Rock Gym, DRG, event, TBS4, Touchstone Climbing Tuesday, October 14, 2008Shoe Demo at GWPC This Wednesday, from 6-8PM at GWPC, people are invited to climb in a pair of La Sportiva Arco or Mythos shoes. Here's what La Sportiva says about the Arco, which was new in 2008. This is a beautifully crafted shoe designed for all day comfort and performance with the following features: * Ventilated upper with a perforated, lined synthetic leather arch area for moisture management * Unlined leather upper for performance and sensitivity * 5mm Vibram® XS Grip sticky rubber outsole. The Mythos is such a classic that it defies description. But if you haven't had an opportunity to try them out, here's your chance. You may discover your new favorite climbing shoe.Labels: climbing, event, Great Western Power Co., oakland Monday, October 6, 2008CRAGS Sacramento climbers are hosting two October events to launch CRAGS (“Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento”). CRAGS is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and the area’s first Access Fund affiliate, started by local climbers interested in protecting climbing access while promoting safe, sustainable climbing practices.The first event is on Saturday Oct. 11 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. CRAGS and a local youth climbing team, Summit Party, are co-sponsoring their first Adopt-a-Crag event to clean up the Rocklin Boulders near downtown Rocklin. Climbers will remove garbage, prune trees and restore trails, as well as climb. At the same time, CRAGS organizers will teach low-impact climbing practices to participants. For the second event, CRAGS will bring the hugely popular 2008 Reel Rock Film Tour to Sacramento, helping kick off a membership drive and raise funds for this local non-profit climbing organization. The film is being hosted by Sacramento Pipeworks on Saturday October 25 at 7:00 p.m. and includes a raffle of climbing gear from major climbing product manufacturers. Top climbers, including Chris McNamara, who founded SuperTopo guidebooks and is featured in one of the Reel Rock’s films, is expected to attend in support. The third annual Reel Rock Film Tour includes a climbing feature film, plus short films on climbing and adventure. To join CRAGS, volunteer for the clean-up or for more information please contact CRAGS Executive Director Brian Poulsen at 916-201-2376 bpoulsenjr@gmail.com or CRAGS Board member/Reel Rock Film Tour Organizer Rob Trelford at 415-640-3332. Labels: Access Fund, Chris McNamara, climbing, event, REEL ROCK TOUR, Sacramento Pipeworks Tuesday, September 2, 2008Yosemite Facelift Coming Soon Yosemite Facelift is a five-day volunteer clean-up of Yosemite National Park. Volunteers meet a the booth in front of the Yosemite Visitor Center each day after 8:00am to sign up and receive cleaning supplies. Trash is brought back before 5:00 pm for weighing and sorting recyclables. Each participant receives a raffle ticket for each day they participate.There will be a raffle at 5:00 pm every day at the booth except for Sunday's raffle, which will be at a thank you reception at the East Auditorium. The reception will include the raffle, free drinks, food and live music with the Jonathan McEuen Band. This event is organized by the Yosemite Climbing Association, a non-profit dedicated to preserving Yosemite's climbing history. You can find more info at: www.yosemiteclimbing.org Labels: climbing, community, event, Yosemite Monday, August 4, 2008Bear Valley Adventure Sports Festival Make plans for the Bear Valley Adventure Sports Festival that is coming up on August 16-17, 2008. This two-day event celebrates the thrills of human powered recreation through competition, education and community. On the activity menu is rock climbing, bouldering, mountain biking, road cycling, trail running, disc golf and flat water kayaking. It doesn't matter whether you regularly "pull, peddle or paddle", or simply just want to try a new outdoor sport in a safe and supportive environment, the Bear Valley Adventure Sport Festival has something for everybody, including the kids. Festival Highlights: • Bear Valley Boulder Bash – outdoor bouldering contest for all abilities (V0-V6+) with cash prizes. • Ebbetts Pass Century Ride – 101 miles & 12,800 feet of climbing; 1st 100 entries gain automatic access into the 2009 Death Ride. • Grizzly Challenge Mt. Bike Race – 3 divisions with cash prizes. For more information please visit AdventureSportsFestival.com or call (209) 753-6556 ext. 1 – We love to talk about our work! Friday, August 1, 2008Yoga for Detox Mission Cliffs Sunday Aug. 3rd 10:30am-noon Cost: $20 Detoxification is essential to maintaining a healthy body and clear mind. In this Vinyasa flow class, we will twist and sweat in order to activate the body’s natural cleansing abilities. Appropriate for students experienced with vinyasa flow yoga. Please note that registration for this class is through missioncliffsyoga@gmail.com only or at the door. Please bring your cash donation of $20 to the class. All proceeds from this class will go to City Slicker Farms. www.cityslickerfarms.org Labels: event, fitness, mission cliffs, Yoga Wednesday, July 16, 2008CPR/First Aid at Ironworks The Oakland Fire Department, as part of their Random Acts charity will be teaching First Aid / CPR classes to the public on July 20th from 2-8 pm at Berkeley Ironworks. Class is limited to 10 people. The suggested donation for the class and certification is only $50.The class provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective basic life support in an emergency. Basic First Aid program participants learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of injuries and sudden illness. Crucial information about how to deal with emergencies like bleeding, shock, burns, strains, fractures, allergic reaction, diabetic and seizures is shared. If you would like to sign up, please stop by the front desk or call Berkeley Ironworks. Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, event Wednesday, July 9, 2008Perfecto Perfecto the Movie on tour in San Francisco in the Mission District Don't miss Perfecto the Movie at the Victoria Theatre this coming Thursday night, July 10th at 8pm. Hosted by Mike Call, Boone Speed, and Touchstone's Ethan Pringle. This movie is about Mallorca and deep water soloing. Buy your tickets NOW at Mission Cliffs and save $. Tickets at the door $12 and $10 in advanced. Labels: climbing, Climbing Movie, Ethan Pringle, event, mission cliffs Tuesday, July 8, 2008Access Fund Meeting, July 11th The Access Fund is starting a chapter in the Bay Area and the first ever meeting will be on July 11th at Berkeley Ironworks a 7:30pm. Come by to participate and help shape the direction of the this new chapter. It is free of course, and you could help save a climbing area you love! Labels: Access Fund, climbing, community, event Wednesday, May 14, 2008Dead Lucky  TITLE: Lincoln Hall: Dead Lucky SPEAKER: Lincoln Hall, Mountain Climber; Author, Dead Lucky DATE: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 TIME: 6 p.m., Check-In | 6:30 p.m., Program | 7:30 p.m. wine and hors d'oeuvres reception PLACE: 595 Market, 2nd Floor, Outside Montgomery BART Station PRICE: $12 members, $20 non-members, $7 students (w/ valid ID) Reservations (415) 597-6705 or register at www.commonwealthclub.org Dead Lucky is the amazing story of Australian mountain climber Lincoln Hall’s rescue near the summit of Mount Everest, where he had been left for dead by the other members of his expedition. Lincoln Hall likes to say that on the evening of May 25, 2006, he died on Everest. And Hall, in fact, was pronounced dead, after collapsing from altitude sickness. Early the next morning, however, an American guide, climbing with two clients and a Sherpa, was startled to find Hall, sitting cross-legged on the summit ridge just staring at them. As featured in the Emmy-nominated Dateline NBC documentary “Miracle on Mount Everest,” Dead Lucky is Lincoln Hall’s account of this miraculous night atop Everest and the days and nights that led up to and followed this fascinating expedition. Hall’s story is inspiring on many levels. Thursday, May 8, 2008Journey Through the Chakras Sacramento Pipeworks newest instructor Daljit Bains invites you to join her in an 8 week chakra workshop series. The workshops are free and are held during her regular Thursday 7:45 yoga class. “Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel” says Daljit, who teaches in the Kundalini style of yoga. She adds: “Your chakras are spinning vortexes (like a wheel) of energy which start from the root chakra, at the base of the spine, all the way up to the crown of the head”. Each chakra has a specific talent and characteristic associated with it, from creativity to willpower to compassion. She invites people of all abilities and yoga experience to come learn what each chakra represents, and how to more easily access the talents associated with each chakra. Beginning date is May 15th, with each Thursday focusing on a new chakra.Labels: event, fitness, Sacramento Pipeworks, Yoga Thursday, April 17, 2008Project Bandaloop Premieres 'Interiors' Project Bandaloop, widely recognized as one of the leading aerial and vertical dance companies in the country, has announced its 2008 home season. The company, under Artistic Director Amelia Rudolph, will present the California premiere of “Interiors,” at San Francisco’s Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center, Thursday, April 17 through Sunday, April 20. In conjunction with the performances, on Saturday, April 19, Project Bandaloop presents “The Dance of the Vertical,” a slide show and talk with world-famous climbers Steve Schneider and Hans Florine at 6:45 pm, prior to the 8 pm curtain. In addition, the 2 pm Sunday matinee will be geared toward younger audiences and families. Following the performance, there will be an interactive “Show and Tell” with Project Bandaloop performers, led by founder Amelia Rudolph. On April 17, there will be an Opening Night Gala as a benefit for the company with a reception after the performance. The $75 ticket will include the performance and a post-show reception with premium wines, a buffet of hors d’oeuvres and a chance to meet and talk with artistic director Amelia Rudolph and the talented performers of Project Bandaloop! Project Bandaloop’s performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 17-19 at 8pm and Sunday, April 20 at 2pm and 7pm at the Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center. Tickets are $25 per person; children 12 and under are $15 and are available through the Fort Mason Foundation Box Office, 415-345-7575 or online at www.fortmason.org/boxoffice. For more information on Project Bandaloop, visit the website at www.projectbandaloop.org. Labels: climbing, event, Hans Florine Friday, February 29, 2008Yin Yang Yoga with Kate Schox at Mission Clif THIS Sunday, March 2nd from 1pm - 3pm $20 mem/$25 non-mem Join Kate Schox in a relaxing and energetic afternoon of Yin and Yang Yoga. Enjoy a practice of opening up dense connective tissue using long-held relaxed floor postures (Yin) followed by an active asana practice where pranic flow and circulation are directed into the muscles and superficial tissues (Yang). An important part of the overall health of our body is the flexibility we feel not just in our muscles but in our joints as well. Muscles and blood are considered Yang while connective tissues and joints are Yin. Yang tissue most effectively responds to active, muscular movement which emphasizes strength and flexibility. Conversely, Yin tissue most effectively responds to passive and relaxed stillness, emphasizing joint health and mobility. In order to achieve balance in a world of primarily Yang yoga styles it is highly beneficial to supplement one’s Yang practice with Yin Yoga. Labels: event, fitness, mission cliffs, Yoga Wednesday, February 27, 2008One Last Comp at Class 5 Class 5 will be hosting the next TBS3 comp on Friday, February 29th. Prepare for amazing bouldering, a DJ, food, drink, twister and a limbo contest! Friday Februray 29th, 6-10pm Free for Members This will be the last comp at this location for Class 5. On February 12, our landlord for Class 5 notified us that we have 60 days to vacate the premises. This is devastating news to all of us at Touchstone Climbing. We have been committed to providing San Rafael and all of Marin County with a high quality rock climbing facility. While we have been actively looking and will continue to look for a replacement facility in Marin, we have not at this time found a suitable building for our unique needs. We are sad to announce that we will be closing Class 5 on March 31st, 2008. So come on down and enjoying at climbing at Class 5, have some fun and pull down hard! Labels: class 5, climbing, comps, event Friday, February 15, 2008Plant to Play A new climbing gym has opened at 520 20th St. in downtown Oakland, turning an old power plant into a new place for nearby residents to play, climb, work out and socialize without having to get in a car and drive somewhere. On the outside, the Great Western Power Company gym preserves the classic 1924 architecture with its stone arch and 150-foot stack. Inside, it has 11,000 square feet of climbing terrain, with cool geometric features of the walls highlighted in a variety of colors. For an area seeing a lot of new condos, shops and restaurants, the gym adds to the character of the neighborhood and helps the community. Already several nearby schools have brought kids to climb at Great Western on a weekly basis. Many of them had never had the opportunity to see rock climbing before. Great Western also quickly became a magnet for parties and corporate events. “The structure is perfect for our use,” says general manager Lyn Verinsky. “It has a great, industrial feel.” One Oakland resident who comes to Great Western Power Company is novelist Leonard Chang. “I live less than a mile away, within walking distance. It’s really nice to have this new gym open up right near me,” he said. “What’s nice about the gym is I meet a whole bunch of people from all walks of life outside my usual profession, the writers and critics, and I’ve met a nice community of climbing friends.” He appreciates the fact that the gym is open late. “One of the problems downtown is that there is a lot going on during the day, but at night and on the weekends to some extent it’s harder to attract people down there,” he said. “So this sort of thing, revitalizing older buildings, it’s more than just commercialization of downtown Oakland.” Visit www.touchstoneclimbing.com/gw.html for classes, hours, directions, and other gym information. To see the inside during the wall construction phase, go to the photo album posted at http://touchstoneclimbing.com/gallery/v/gyms/gwpc/ This is a summary of the press release announcing the opening of the Great Western Power Company. A copy of the full release can be downloaded here. Labels: event, Great Western Power Co., oakland Wednesday, January 23, 2008SPRAY Premier SPRAY Premier @ Victoria TheatreSPRAY, the fourth feature film from BS Productions, captures the true spirit of climbing. Join us for the West Coast PREMIER of SPRAY at the Victoria Theatre in San Francisco on February 1, 7:00pm. Filmmaker Brian Solano followed Joe Kinder and Chris Lindner on their most recent journey documenting every moment in crystal clear High Definition video. The team set out to explore the treasures of California's northern coastline. They ventured through the delicate beaches of Arcata, the stunning limestone of the Trinity Aretes, the historical shores of Mickey's Beach, and the alpine stone of Donner Summit. The film features numerous first ascents, including Chris Lindner's oceanside route Window of Opportunity. When: Friday, February 1 @ 7:00pm Where: The Victoria Theatre in San Francisco Cost: $12 Tickets: VictoriaTheatre.org Click Here for more details about SPRAY (www.SprayMovie.com) Tuesday, January 22, 2008Yoga Benefit for Peter
On Sunday January 27th, Sandra Safadirazieli will be leading a 2-hour Yoga Workshop to benefit the Peter Togakasaki Cancer Fund. The workshop will start at 12:30pm.
Sandra is a long time Yoga instructor here and Berkeley Ironworks and her brother had a similar condition - so she understands the difficulties that lie ahead for Peter. Peter, as you probably remember from last month’s newsletter, is a 26-year-old bike builder at  Berkeley-based Wrench Science and former Touchstone employee, who was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in late August. After two unsuccessful rounds of chemotherapy treatments at an Oakland hospital, he is now being transferred to Stanford for a bone-marrow transplant.Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, event, fitness, Yoga Monday, December 10, 2007The Nose: Really Really FastCHALK TALK about the Huber's Speed Record Ascentof THE NOSE, in 2:45:45. QnA on ways to improve. LIVE WEBINAR December 18th 6pm PST Hans Florine was able to hang out with the Hubers over a beer in June 2006 while they were working on the record. He also chatted with the Hubers, again over a beer, in SF after they got the record this past October 2007. In this webinar, Hans will talk about the way the Hubers tackled the route and go pitch by pitch how his attempts at the record went after talking to them. (Hans got a good go of 5:26 in November.)  Hans is joined by NIAD experts to go over the Huber's ascent and discuss strategies for improvement. Hans will also be inviting some Climbing Manufacturer experts to join in on the session.Hans will take between 20 to 40 minutes to go over just how the Huber's climbed the route, how Yuji and Hans climbed the route (previous record of 2:48), how Hans just last month climbed it with Mark Melvin, and will discuss tools strategies and more. Then we'll open it up for a panel of experts to suggest things and YOUR input or questions. Maybe you have insight on a strategy on how better to go through the King Swing or you know of a tool we are not using that would help us move more effectively/faster through the route. Just listen or contribute. Recording from the webinar will be available afterwards. Join Hans for this live Webinar on December 18th at 6pm, sign up now here: http://hansflorine.com/shop/webinar1.html Labels: climbing, event, Hans Florine, Mark Melvin, The Nose Monday, December 3, 2007Yoga WorkshopYoga Workshop with Eleni Gekas Mission Cliffs Behind the Yoga Poses: a workshop geared towards experiencing all aspects of yoga Saturday, December 8th from 1-3pm Free Member Event  Ever wonder what's behind all of the postures of yoga? Have you left a yoga class feeling like there was something else going on? Come learn about the 8 limbs of Yoga according to the Sutras of Patanjali, the father of yoga. We will explore the ancient texts, practice how they relate to the physical postures, and learn simple breathing and meditation techniques that will take away any edge that might develop during the holiday season. We will also explore some relaxing restorative poses. Sign up with at Eleni at yoganaki@gmail.com, Limited to the first 15 students to sign up with Eleni. Free to members ($25 for non-members)Labels: event, fitness, mission cliffs, Yoga Monday, November 26, 2007Oakland is Open The Great Western Power Co. will be open at 5pm on Monday Nov. 26th. We will be open the rest of the week from 4pm-10pm. While we have received our final operating permits, we still have lots of work we will be continuing to work on over the next few weeks. At this point we do not have any fitness or weight equipment. We do have lots of boulder problems and a decent amount of routes to climb. So here is your chance to be one of the first people to climb at Touchstones newest gym. If you have already signed up for a membership we welcome you to use the gym this week for free. You account will not be billed till Dec. 1st. If you have not yet signed up for a membership, come on down and we can sign you up today. For the first 200 members, we will waive the initiation fee and you will receive a free GWPC t-shirt. We do NOT currently have hot water. We should have hot water by the end of the week. Labels: event, Great Western Power Co., oakland Thursday, November 15, 2007Mountains of the Bay Area Tune in this Thursday and Friday night to watch “Mountains of the Bay Area” the topic of Channel 5’s Eye on the Bay television series. Tonight at 7:00pm will be the first half in this two part show where they set out to climb and explore the Bay Area’s major peaks, with a look at their historical and geological importance. Tomorrow on the conclusion they explore the East Bay’s climbing mecca “Rock City.”Monday, November 12, 2007The Art of Living Purna Yoga™The Art of Living Purna Yoga™ with Aadil Palkhivala at Touchstone Climbing & Fitness in Concord December 7-9, 2007  Touchstone Climbing is proud to present a workshop with world renowned yoga teacher, Aadil Palkhivala. For nearly thirty years, Aadil has had a reputation as a “teacher of teachers” and has been training yoga teachers in India, Europe and the United States since 1976. His approach to yoga is that it is to be lived and not just performed. Since the age of 7 Aadil has been practicing yoga and like a mentor sharing his knowledge with an apprentice, he teaches students to use their bodies, intellect and emotions to discover their real purpose in life. Through telling stories, giving insights and philosophical ponderings, Aadil teaches students how to discover what really matters within while strengthening, aligning and opening the body through the practice of asana. Friday December 7th 6-8p.m. Power and Humility Saturday December 8th 10-1 Purna Yoga Power Saturday December 8th 2:30-5:00 Restoratives and Pranayama Sunday December 9th 10-1 Detox & Recharge Twists and Backbends Full weekend $285 Individual Sessions $80 Please remit payment to: Living Yoga 881 Richard Lane Danville, CA 94526 Questions? Contact: Deb Stone e-mail:myfavoritethingz@comcast.net 925-683-3900 Labels: concord, Diablo Rock Gym, event, fitness, Yoga Tuesday, October 2, 2007BORP Ride This Weekend The Touchstone Bike Club would like to invite everyone up to Sonoma County this weekend to ride with them in the BORP Revolution 2007 event.Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to improve the health, independence and social integration of people with physical disabilities through sports, fitness and recreation programs. At BORP, we believe that sports and recreation provide a path to greater achievement to which all people should have access, and we continually strive to make this a reality. - from www.borp.org Saturday, 10/6/2007 - SONOMA BORP Revolution 2007! All levels welcome! This event benefits athletes with disabilities in the Bay Area Outreach Program (aka "BORP"). Rides range in distance from 25 – 100 miles through scenic Sonoma County. Ride ends with a massage and feast at Trentadue Winery. Visit http://borp.org/revolution/index.htm for more information! Volunteers needed too! Labels: cycling, event, Touchstone Bike Club Friday, September 21, 2007Yosemite Facelift 4th Annual Yosemite Facelift Sept. 26th - 30th For five days in this fall, the Yosemite Climbing Association will once again sponsor a Yosemite-wide cleanup to benefit the park and help restore high use areas after the busy summer season. The goal is an intensive cleaning of all areas in the park before the winter rains set in. This will include roadways, the river corridor, trails, parking areas, campgrounds, climbing areas, and lodging areas.  Meet the YCA in front of the Visitor Center between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM from September 26th to September 30th, to pick up trash bags and litter sticks. Bring your trash back for weighing and sorting by 5:00 p.m. Signing in and weighing your collection at the end of the day helps us track our progress, reach the most area and create revenue for the Park.Show up early for assignments, or if you already have a route for the day, sign up, grab a trash bag, and spend some time cleaning the area you are enjoying. If you can’t be there at 8:00 AM, show up when you can, every little bit will help. Each participant receives a raffle ticket for every day they participate. Hundreds of prizes will be raffled off at a special reception for all participants on September 30. Last year, 1,157 participants donated 9,256 hours, collect 25,000 pounds of trash, valued at $166,970 by the NPS. Thanks to this effort, the NPS presented Ken Yager with the Yosemite Award. Help us make the YCA Yosemite Facelift an even greater success this year. For more info, contact Ken Yager. Labels: climbing, community, event, Yosemite Monday, August 27, 2007Reel Rock Returns The 2007 REEL ROCK Film Tour ~ Bay Area 9/8 San Francisco, Victoria Theatre, 8pm ~ Chris Sharma in person 9/26 Berkeley, Pyramid Brewery, 8pm 9/27 Berkeley, Pyramid Brewery, 8pm 10/4 Walnut Creek, Pyramid Brewery, 8pm THE REEL ROCK Film Tour brings high-octane climbing and adventure films to enthusiastic audiences across the world. In its inaugural year of 2006, REEL ROCK packed theaters in over 50 cities from Anchorage to New York, entertained more than 10,000 people, and received rave reviews from audiences, sponsors, and local and national media. REEL ROCK 2007 will feature King Lines -- Chris Sharma’s search for the planet’s greatest climbs -- the groundbreaking new movie from Boulder’s own Sender Films and BigUp Productions. Chris Sharma is the strongest and most famous rock climber in the world. For the past decade he has dominated his sport, and at 25 years old, the Santa Cruz, CA native is just hitting his stride. King Lines documents Sharma’s quest to be the first to climb the most difficult and outrageous rock formations around the world. A segment from Chris Sharma’s King Lines recently won an EMMY award in the category of Outstanding Photography. Sharma will make rare appearances at several of the major REEL ROCK shows in 2007. Tickets: SF: Mission Cliffs & www.victoriatheatre.org, & at the door. Walnut Creek: Touchstone Concord, & at the door. Berkeley: Ironworks & at the door. For more information, and to view the trailer, please visit: www.reelrocktour.com. Labels: Chris Sharma, climbing, Climbing Movie, event, REEL ROCK TOUR Tuesday, August 21, 2007Bear Valley Adventure Sport Festival The Bear Valley Adventure Sports Festival is coming to the High Sierra this weekend August 25-26, 2007. This two day event celebrates the thrills of human powered recreation through competition, education and community. On the menu is rock climbing, mountain biking, road cycling and flatwater kayaking. It doesn't matter whether you regularly "pull, peddle or paddle", or simply just want to try a new outdoor sport in a safe and supportive environment, the Bear Valley Adventure Sport Festival has something for everybody, including the kids.Highlights of the festival included: • 2nd Annual Bear Valley Boulder Bash – outdoor bouldering contest for all abilities and tons of prizes – including cash! (1st Annual report) • Ebbetts Pass Century & Metric Century Ride – 101 miles & 12,800 feet of climbing • Grizzley Challenge – A serious 21 mile, 5000 feet of climbing mountain bike ride. For more information please visit www.AdventureSportsFestival.com or call (209) 753-6556 ext. 1 – We love to talk about our work! Labels: climbing, cycling, event Friday, July 20, 2007A Speedy Weekend in San Jose The 3rd annual San Jose Grand Prix will be held on July 27th, 28th, and 29th. Please note that many of the city streets will be closed off due to the layout of the race course, and parking will be impacted. You can see a map of the race track as well as the different events around the track here. Friday, June 29, 2007Smell the Holds Matt McCormick, a Touchstone member since 1995, wrote friends this note after running across photos of the Touchstone facility being built in Oakland.A well-designed climbing wall is a thing of beauty. I’ve been climbing in gyms so long and loving it, that just looking at a new wall sends waves of anticipation, anxiety, ambition, and longing through me. And the acrid, carcinogenic smell of polyester resin in new climbing holds just out of the shipping box does the same thing. It’s like Christmas, but with fear and overdeveloped calluses. If my wife had that for perfume, I’d be helpless. A lot of climbers still think that gym climbing is still a means to an end—training so that they can get outside to real rock. That’s fine—but when one of the Touchstone route setters (and I just don’t think there are any better route setters anywhere) puts up a clever, well-executed route that pushes you to new levels, that’s a special thing. What’s more, you will not optimize your climbing-to-bullshit ratio better anywhere outside. Nowhere else can you do so many good routes in such a short time. Actually, more climbers should take the notion of a climbing gym road trip seriously. Get your partner, clear your afternoon schedule, and go to one of the other Touchstone gyms (your membership works there too). And that brings me to the next point: Touchstone is building a new gym in Oakland. The pictures here, will make you need to chalk up sitting at your computer. Check out the giant smoke stack in the middle of the wall, and the outrageous prows jutting from the top! The Great Western Power Co. (cool name, huh?) is at 520 20th street in Oakland, CA. They’re having an open house on Friday, June 29th from 6 pm to 9pm. Tell them you’d like to smell the holds. Labels: climbing, event, Great Western Power Co., oakland Monday, June 25, 2007Oakland Open House If the pictures of the Oakland gym construction in the Touchstone gallery have whetted your appetite to see the newest Touchstone gym in person, here's your chance to be one of the first people to visit. On Friday, June 29th from 6pm to 9pm, Oakland gym manager, Lyn Verinsky, would like to invite you to the first OPEN HOUSE. This is a great opportunity to see the awesome, light-filled space, and the walls-in-progress. The address is: 520 20th St. Oakland, CALabels: event, Great Western Power Co., oakland, touchstone Tuesday, June 12, 20073 on 3 basketball Tourney Berkeley Ironworks will be hosting a 3 on 3 basketball tournament on June 16th at 10am. Put your team together and submit your team name at the front desk to be included in the Berkeley Ironworks 3 on 3 tournament for men and women. We hope to see your team submitted soon!Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, event, touchstone Monday, June 11, 2007Music in the Park San Jose summers usually mean free music festivals! Every summer, the City of San Jose holds free music festivals in Ceasar Chavez Park and St. James Park. The festivals, Music in the Park and Music in the Other Park, respectively, are held at 5:30PM – 9:00PM every Thursday night during the months of June and July. Please note that parking in downtown San Jose may be difficult to find Thursday nights due to the free concerts.Friday, May 25, 2007Carnaval is Coming Please note that Mission Cliffs will be affected by the street closures for the 2007 Carnaval SF event happening this weekend. Harrison Street and surrounding cross streets will be closed between 16th and 24th for this weekend of festivities commencing Friday, May 25th at 10pm. Parking will be extremely limited. Labels: event, mission cliffs Wednesday, May 16, 2007Fun Had By All
The hoards descended on Touchstone Concord for the start of TRS2 and went away tired, full and happy. Tired from climbing themselves out on the 14 comp routes ranging from 5.8 to 5.13c; full from chowing down on pizza and soda; and happy to have competed in yet another fun Touchstone community event with a group of positive and supportive climbers.
109 competitors attended, many of whom were competing for the first time. And every Touchstone gym was represented by at least a few of their members. Final scores can be found on the TRS2 comp page. A special thank you goes out to Evolv Shoes for putting on a shoe demo during the comp and for donating a pair of shoes. Also thanks to Stone Age Climbing who kindly donated a much sought-after hang board. Next stop for the TRS2 is Class 5 on June 22nd. Don't miss it! Labels: comps, concord, Diablo Rock Gym, event Wednesday, April 18, 2007TRS Returns for Season 2!!! Here we go again!! Touchstone Climbing is excited to announce that the Touchstone Roped Series has returned. This will be a series of six Roped Climbing comps that will be held on Friday evenings, one at six of the Touchstone locations. All events will include a red point roped comp as well as refreshments, games and prizes. Points will be awarded for each comp with overall winners being announced after the final comp. The first event will be held at Touchstone Concord on May 11th. There will be a comp each month for the following six months, with the finale coming in October held at what will be the newly opened Great Western Power Company in Oakland. For more info visit the TRS page. Labels: climbing, comps, event, Touchstone Roped Series Tuesday, April 17, 2007AcroYoga at Ironworks Berkeley Ironworks will be hosting an AcroYoga Workshop on Sunday April 22nd from 10:30am-1:30pm. The workshop is $30 for members and $40 for non-members.In this AcroYoga workshop, you will learn to "Fly" and melt into the depths of supported Partner Yoga. We will explore what's possible with two and more bodies balancing with our friend Gravity. Come alone, or bring a partner... No Yoga experience necessary, only a desire to experience the unknown...! Wanna go up? Let's Fly! Taught by Veteran instructor Tyler Ryan Blank. Please go to the front desk and sign up early to reserve your spot! Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, event, fitness, Yoga Monday, April 16, 2007Free Fiesta Touchstone Concord Climbing & Fitness today announced an initiative to support Concord Mayor, Mark Peterson, in challenging Concord residents to get in better shape. In the battle against the terrible state of fitness in which many of us find ourselves, Touchstone Concord is offering locals a free weekend of family fun while trying out a great new workout. Taking place April 21 & 22, Touchstone Concord will be hosting free climbing lessons, free day passes, free gear rental, free fitness class demos, free fitness advice, a free raffle, free barbecue and other fun free events all in an attempt to get people excited to get fit. Plus, Touchstone members will receive one free raffle ticket for every friend they bring to try out the facility. This event is open to people of all ages and fitness levels. Labels: concord, Diablo Rock Gym, event Wednesday, February 28, 2007Concord Supports St. Jude's A fundraising event benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be held at Touchstone Concord on Wednesday, February 28, at 7:00pm. Participants will turn in the donations they have gathered and celebrate doing something for a good cause with pizza, soda and cake.All month, Concord members have been gathering pledges from awesome folks who are willing to sponsor them for every climb they do in a day or for every hour they exercise in the fitness area. Members are motivated to climb and work out to support this internationally recognized organization because of St. Jude's outstanding work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other terrible diseases. By participating in this event you can help raise funds for children stricken with cancer, AIDS and sickle cell anemia. If you are interested in participating or making a donation, please contact Eric Cohen at Touchstone Concord (925-602-1000). For more information about St. Jude's, please visit their website at stjude.org. Labels: concord, Diablo Rock Gym, event Monday, February 19, 2007On The Road Again Touchstone bike fans are getting pumped up to watch the return of the Amgen Tour of California from Feb. 18 through 25, 2007. Professional teams will compete over a 700-mile route that includes the redwoods, the wine country and the Pacific Coast. The first three teams to be announced were The Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, Team CSC and Predictor-Lotto. A total of 16 teams are expected.A new element that was missing from last year’s inaugural race is a loop through the Central Valley. Individual time trials start in San Francisco Feb. 18. The tour itself begins the next day with a stage from Sausalito to Santa Rosa, and the following day to Sacramento. Then riders will skip south to Stockton for the Feb. 21 stage to San Jose. From there the race shifts down the coast with a leg from Seaside to San Luis Obispo. Subsequent stages go to Solvang, Santa Barbara, Santa Clarita and Long Beach. The sponsor, Amgen, a pharmaceuticals developer based in Thousand Oaks, is hoping the California tour will someday eclipse the Tour de France. While it has a long way to go, the California tour got off to a good start. The first one drew 1.3 million spectators. “I was out watching the first three days of the race last year and it was definitely worth the hype,” says Jessica de Jesus, who helped start the Mission Cliffs Bike Club. “It's pretty special seeing all these guys riding the roads we ride all the time at the blistering pace they set. One of the most impressive things was seeing the amount of spectators out on the road, even mid-week! I was just in France this past summer watching the Tour de France and it was very similar in many aspects, which is a very stunning comparison to be able to make.” The Sacramento Pipeworks Bike Club will definitely make plans to attend the tour as a group, says Pipeworks manager Vaughn Medford. “The Amgen tour is certainly everything they say it is. Still too young to be considered on par with world class rides like The Tour De France or Paris-Roubaix, it is already equal to something like The Tour of Georgia.” Mission Cliffs will be out in full force as well. “In addition, we will probably organize the last club ride in February to be a portion of Stage 1 of the race,” says de Jesus. Aside from being an exciting sports event, the tour also raises funds for cancer care and treatment. Last year, Amgen raised more than $1 million for The Wellness Community. This year the tour also will support the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. Labels: cycling, event, Touchstone Bike Club Thursday, January 18, 2007Slideshow in Concord Touchstone Concord is proud to host an evening with Crew 405. Venture Crew is an organization for teens that teaches them many valuable life skills and lessons through exploration of the outdoors. Every year, the group does at least one big mountaineering expedition, which for 2006 was a trip up Mt. Rainier. Come hear their talk on what it takes to do the climb and see amazing slides of jumping crevasses. The slideshow starts at 8pm on Tuesday, January 23rd and will take place in the yoga room. This is a FREE event. Labels: climbing, concord, Diablo Rock Gym, event, Yoga Monday, January 15, 2007Free Slackline Clinic Free Slackline Clinic January 23rd at Sacramento PipeworksHave you seen people walking the tightrope in the gym? It's called "slacklining" - a great balance sport utilizing tubular nylon webbing stretched tight between two anchor points. The origins of modern day slacklining are generally attributed to rock climbers living in Yosemite Valley in the early 1980s, but it is a good way to work on your balance and core strength even if you’re not a climber. We'll offer a free 1-hour introductory clinic to slacklining on Jan. 23rd at 6:30pm. Instructed by Pipeworks route setter and expert slacker Peter Dixon. Labels: event, Sacramento Pipeworks, Yosemite Friday, December 29, 2006Happy New Year Touchstone Climbing would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. We had an exciting 2006 at Touchstone. We saw the finale of our 1st annual Touchstone Bouldering Series, which had an amazing 440 unique competitors. The Touchstone Roped Series started with our biggest rope climbing comp ever at Mission Cliffs. There were many changes to the gyms including a complete bathroom remodel at Ironworks. 2006 was a huge year for both our men's and women's cycling teams and we are very excited for the 2007 season. The Touchstone Bike Club continued to grow and remains a favorite among members. Last year also saw the passing of Todd Skinner, Steve Karafa and Jeff Schoen, who all will be deeply missed. Touchstone's commitment to reach out to the community continued in 2006 with the Bike Corral in Sacramento, a blood drive in Concord, food and toy drives at Mission Cliffs, a climb for breast cancer research at Class 5 and a charity climb for homelessness at Ironworks.We are looking forward to a wonderful 2007 including an exciting announcement during the first part of the year. HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Labels: climbing, cycling, event, members, touchstone, Touchstone Bike Club Thursday, December 21, 2006SJ has X-Mas Bling Touchstone Climbing held its annual holiday party this past Saturday, December 16th, at Berkeley Ironworks. The highlight of the evening was the arrival of the Touchstone San Jose outfit. Arriving fashionably late, en masse and clad in black, the South Bay crew showed off their bling in the form of a gold chain and Touchstone logo “T”, complete with ice. When asked about their bling, the San Jose staff simply replied, “Gangsta.”Witnesses described the San Jose group as close-knit, friendly, outgoing, and, um, colorful. One may ask, what conspired in the forming of such dynamic solidarity? Could it be the unforgiving streets of San Jose? Could it be the downtown’s Christmas in the Park or the ice skating under palm trees? Is it the thoroughfare of diversity or the bad driving of the tech geeks? Maybe it’s the burritos and orange sauce at La Vic’s? We’ll let you decide for yourself. Come downtown to Touchstone San Jose and experience the best bouldering sessions in South Bay. The staff and members won’t let you down. Labels: event, san jose, touchstone Thursday, December 7, 2006And there is Chocolate!! Charles Chocolate Tasting at Touchstone Concord's TBS2 In December, a new food item will be in stock at Touchstone Concord: premium chocolate bars and chocolate covered almonds from Emeryville-based chocolatier, Charles Chocolate. Available in several delectable flavors such as Mocha Java and Carmelized Rice Crispy, they shouldn't be missed. If you are a little hesitant about the sticker price of $3.75/bar, come by the free tasting taking place December 8 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm during the TBS2 comp. All the flavors will be on hand to try out. Find out which is your favorite! Labels: comps, concord, Diablo Rock Gym, event Wednesday, December 6, 2006Pub on Wheels From the Touchstone Bike Club: The holidays are upon us and for that, this Saturday's ride will kick off a new tradition, the Holiday Tailgate "Pub on Wheels" Party TM. This week's Level 1/2 Leaders (Scott and Arthur) invite you to a post-ride gathering of fresh brews & other non-alcoholic beverages to raise a glass to another great year of riding in the Sports Basement parking lot. RSVP by Thursday, Dec. 7, to touchstonebike@gmail.com. All rides will start/end at the Presidio Sports Basement Parking Lot at 9:15am. ALL RIDERS (Levels 1, 2 & 3) are welcome, we just ask that you RSVP. Rain or 30% chance of rain or greater will (sadly) cancel the ride. Please visit www.wunderground.com for "Stinson Beach, CA" for weather. Dec. 9 – Marin Levels 1/2 Ride - Stinson Bolinas-Fairfax Loop (All riders should be self-sufficient) 55 miles; 4,250' vertical climbing (detour likely due to Hwy 1 closures) Leaders: Scott Herring and Arthur Combs (Level 1/2) Labels: cycling, event, Touchstone Bike Club Wednesday, November 15, 2006Pfizer Comes to Town Pfizer Neuro Science Group of Northern California was having a week long conference in Berkeley and as a team building experience, came to climb at Berkeley Ironworks. Eighty Pfizer employees spent an hour and a half scaling the walls, some learning to belay and everyone had a great time.If your company is ever interested in having a climbing event, please contact our front desk and we would be more than happy to book the party or provide more information. Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, climbing, event Tuesday, November 7, 2006Ask a Doctor....again. Ask the Dr. w/ Rachman Chung, DC, ART, CMT on November 7th from 6-8pm at Mission Cliffs.. Dr. Chung graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic West, cum laude. Dr. Chung is a former extreme sports athlete & knows from personal experience what it is like to suffer from chronic injury and the level of commitment necessary to fully recover. Dr. Chung is fully certified in Active Release Technique. His examination and treatment methods combine principles of postural analysis, orthopedic, neurological and musculoskeletal tests, gentle touch, adjustments of the spine and extremities, and progressive rehabilitation. This is a Free Event!Labels: event, mission cliffs, tips Powerlifting Sacramento Pipeworks is proud to host the 2006 BEST IN THE WEST Powerlifting Championships on Saturday November 11th. Powerlifting is all about raw strength, with contestants lifting as much weight as possible in three different disciplines: The Squat, The Bench Press and The Deadlift. There will be more than 30 entrants from all over California and several from out of state. Joan McHale from Team Bodytribe will be attempting to break all of her APA (American Powerlifting Association) world records for the women’s 60-64 year old division, while most of her female team members are looking to break current state records. There are several age categories and weight classes, with most of the strongest competitors in the 275 lb and above class. Lifting starts at 11:30 am and spectators are warmly welcome.Labels: event, Sacramento Pipeworks Friday, October 27, 2006Wrist, Finger & Elbow.....Oh My! Climbing Injury Clinic for Elbow, Wrist & FingerMission Cliffs -Sunday, October 29th from 2-4pm. Learn to identify, prevent and treat common climbing and yoga-related injuries in this FREE clinic. David Borgeson, an orthopedic physical therapist at Saint Francis Center for Sports Medicine in Corte Madera, will be presenting this clinic on elbow, wrist & finger injuries & will include: a lecture on anatomy & common injuries/pathology, exercises for prevention & rehabilitation, and time for injury screening & consultation. Space is limited to the first 20 participants. A sign-up sheet will be available at the desk. David Borgeson is an orthopedic physical therapist at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Center for Sports Medicine. An avid climber of 30 years and yoga practitioner trained in the Anusara and Ashtanga traditions, David has developed expertise in evaluating and treating injuries commonly seen in rock climbers and yoga enthusiasts. He has taught classes on climbing technique and injury prevention for Touchstone for the past 10 years, and incorporates yoga into his physical therapy practice. Labels: climbing, event, mission cliffs, Yoga Powered by: |
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